Soul mate. The term widely used for a romantic partner or the better half. A Person we can’t imagine our life without; at least the current understanding of the term states so. A relationship has more than the connection of souls, it comprises of physical and mental connections as well yet we never hear of physical or cognitive link in a romantic sense. So how did we jump to soul mate? What are the origins of the terminology?
Before I dive into that discussion let’s talk about the soul first. Soul is considered a spiritual being by us. Scientists, however, disagreed they believed soul to be just another word for psyche. A psychological term used to define the pattern of Cognitive activity. Since soul and mind were so deeply connected, to understand the soul the brain needed to be studied thus falling under the category of Neuroscience. No other branch of science studied the soul individually.
Religiously or spiritually speaking the soul is considered a separate being. An immortal instrument that resides inside the body making it alive. Many religions talk about the process of giving soul to a body at birth and extracting it at death. So far we learned that soul could either be a poetic reference, a metaphor for brain or an actual immortal essence of a being.
Ibn Sina described the soul as “an incorporeal substance that acts through the body.”
The argument about soul has lasted centuries. Where it resides in the body has been wildly debated but never concluded. Since it’s inception it’s been surrounded by controversial philosophies. And Philosophies gave birth to ideas, the bases of conducting experiments. Ducan MacDougall found an experimentally determined value of 3/4th of an ounce (or 21 grams) as the mass of the “soul substance” leaving the body of a person at the point of death in 1901. Similar research was mentioned in The Lost Symbol by Dan Brown in 2009. Though the story was told through a fictional character, the research and the organisations mentioned were all real. Now this is all relatively new. I wanted to trace the mention of souls as far back as I could, the oldest reference I found was Egyptian.
(2600 BC) “via Ra theology, the early dynastic Egyptians, apexed, likely in the mind of polymath Imhotep, were the originators of the concept of the soul called the “ba”, a supposed entity that had a certain mass, and which was weighted on the scale of Maat, against the feather of truth to determine its moral value.”
It seems the Egyptians not only knew about the existence of soul but were already conducting experiments to weigh the mass of the soul. Further down the research I came across the term Split Soul in Theology, which in other words is called soulmate, already popular around 2000BC. In the image below we have an example of how one soul was divided and made in two. Thus called the Split soul.
Certain sources referred to Greek mythology as well. For references I looked up Plato’ symposium (375BC) a recommended classic in philosophy containing various philosopher theories on love and the origin of the term Platonic love. It also talks about Greek literature and mythology, that’s how I found some very interesting concepts.
“According to Greek mythology, humans were originally created with four arms, four legs and a head with two faces. Fearing their power, Zeus split them into two separate parts, condemning them to spend their lives in search of their other halves.
…and when one of them meets the other half, the actual half of himself, whether he be a lover of youth or a lover of another sort, the pair are lost in an amazement of love and friendship and intimacy and one will not be out of the other’s sight, as I may say, even for a moment…”
These humans are mentioned in stories as the Androgynous. They were said to be miserable without their other half. But since this philosophy only talks about the physical aspect of the halves. Some might argue they couldn’t be constituted as soulmates. But I suppose the concept was derived from there. That’s how Split soul or soulmate came to existence. It means the literal other half of a person be it physical or spiritual.
There are numerous school of thoughts regarding this. This first one I ever came across explained that when Adam and Eve were sent to Earth. God decided not to make any new additions to the Earth. What was done was done. But if God decided not to disrupt the channel, Then how do we get new bodies and souls? Where do they come from if not from the unknown? The answer to that; we bury our dead or burn them. Their decaying bodies become a part of the Earth enriching the soil flowing into everything and most importantly us. From the soil to our bodies, I know the concept might make you all gag right now but it’s true. The decomposed bodies work like a fertiliser in everything we eat. The soul is a different story though. A Soul upon a person’s death gets divided into two. Which then enters into two new borns. But because they are divided and only half of themselves, both parts feel incomplete till they stumble upon the other half some point in their lives. And they instantly recognise each other as their missing half. The connection and spark is instantly registered on both sides. Some say that’s how you fall in love describing the significant other as your better half or soulmate.
Ibn Hazm stated somewhere around 1022 “The lover’s soul is ever-seeking for the other, striving after it, searching it out, yearning to encounter it again, drawing it to itself it might be as a magnet draws the iron.”
The purpose of sharing the last ideology is that it kind of explains the current love situation we face. According to this theory the soul has been dissected more than one time, which indicates that we might have more than one soulmate or other half. To me that’s more believable because it explains how we fall in love more than once or share unexplained connections with people.
Coming back to the contemporary times, Soulmate is considered a romantic notion that most cynics don’t believe in. I always thought it was a term created to sell love stories. Turns out it’s not true. I can’t tell you about the authenticity of above mentioned ideologies. Coming from The Egyptians who believed they could persevere the body by mummification for afterlife and the Greeks who are the definition of dysfunctional family. They are however the originators of the concept that we now use in every possible romance tale. I think the our need for completion and wholeness drove is to the point where we started believing in soulmate or true love blindly. The rest was taken care of by movies with concepts and dialogues as “‘my one true love” or “true love’s kiss” or “you complete me”, the list goes on.
I would honestly love to believe that my soulmate or my other half exists. We all feel a sort of emptiness in our hearts but somehow I doubt it has anything to do with the supposed other half. I think it has more to do with us needing companionship. Philosophers over the years tell us to find ourselves, by finding ourself we will find the Divine within us. You all must have heard the Sanskrit word Namaste. Did you know what it means? A greeting with hands together at heart centre “represents the belief that there is a Divine spark within each of us that is located in the heart chakra”
If philosophy and even some of the religions tells us to find the Divine in ourself, why not find love inside within as well? I say the same applies to this theory. Find the other half within you and make yourself whole again. Instead of waiting for that one person that completes you. That would be my advice to anybody waiting for that spark associated with “the one”. Don’t wait for someone special to make you complete. Only You can complete yourself.
Love,
Manal
The links I used:
- Plato’s Symposium.
- Ra theology
- Souls though Philosophy.
- Soul theorist Hmolpedia
Reblogged this on O LADO ESCURO DA LUA.
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Thankyou for reblogging my post 😊
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Hi Manal! It is so nice to meet you and read your post. It is going to be fun tagging along with you and reading your works and seeing images of life where you are.
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Hey! Yes it’ll be fun sharing and appreciating perspectives! Thankyou for the visit. Looking forward to future interactions.
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Enjoyed your post, Mana. When I was living in Brazil, I made a strong connection with two brothers.
“The connection and spark is instantly registered on both sides.”
~ This comment reminded me of the strong physical attraction that my friend, Angela, and her husband experienced on their first meeting.
Thanks for the follow 🙂
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Thank you For sharing. It’s amazing how this connection works, isn’t it?
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Hi thank you so much for stopping by my Blog and decided to Follow! I am a visual artist that love to express creativity through different mediums, watercolor paintings, sketches, illustration, photography, digital art, jewelry design and I like to write poems and haiku when they are whispered to my soul! I hope you enjoy my creations and I am looking forward to connect! Keep up with your writings and nice Blog! 🙂 Carolina
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Hey Carolina how are you doing? I’m Manal. Fashion designer turned writer. I was going through your blog your paintings are incredible. I hope someday I can paint half as well as you.
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Hi Manal happy to meet you! I am a full-time independent artist, with a past in fashion and jewelry design! I love to create and right now I am focusing on my art! Thank you I am happy that you like my paintings! And I am glad to inspire! ❤
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Hi! Thanks a lot for joining me!
Great blog here! 🙂
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Welcome. Thank you for the follow
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You’re so welcome!
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Wow, Excellent write up !
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Thank you so much.
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Wow! You put a lot of thought into blogging, and you’re bound to be successful. Thanks for following Oh, the Places We See. Glad to have you traveling with us!
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Thankyou so much. That’s very kind of you to say.
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I never liked the phrase, my other half, and agree that we can each be whole as individuals. I use the term soulmate to mean someone who is a good fit for me and someone who nourishes my soul (what I think of as my true and eternal self.) Thanks for getting me to think about different meanings of this word and what it means to me.
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Thanks for taking out time to visit and for sharing your thoughts with me.
Feedback is always welcome. 😊
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Hi Manal! You are THAT girl. Great post! I do believe in soul mates – can’t tell you why, but I do. Thanks so much for following my blog – stop by any time! I don’t post on substantial concepts like you do, but my posts are pretty eclectic. Try to keep my followers guessing…
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Thank you for the visit 😊 I’m glad you liked my post. Will sure visit yours as well.
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Reblogged this on penpowersong.
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Thank you 😊
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Thanks for following. Your blog looks cool and I like this post a lot.
The last part kind of reminds me of the Jungian Anima/Animus. I’m certainly on board with your advice of looking within for the divine and loving yourself – not in a narcissistic way, but in a compassionate way. There’s another concept called the Anima Mundi (the world soul), I’m not sure if you’ve heard of it? There’s also a concept called The Shekinah, which I heard about recently. Here’s a quote from a book I read:
‘The Shekinah is sometimes called the liberating angel, whom Jacob in Genesis 48:16 refers to as “the angel that redeemed me from all evil.” The Shekinah is also the guardian of the tree of life in the garden of Eden. Gershom Scholem, a great scholar of Jewish mysticism, tells us that the Shekinah was separated from God, her lover, following the fall of Adam and Eve. Only on Friday nights, the eve of the Sabbath, are they reunited before being forced to part again. Not until all the original light of creation has returned to its divine source will the cosmic lovers be permanently reunited. Scholem writes: “To lead the Shekinah back to God and to unite her with Him is the true purpose of the Torah.” We are all involved in this process. Every act of love and compassion brings the heavenly couple closer together. In this sense, life is a love story. In essence, we are all lonely lovers separated from our love, which can only be found at the very heart of our being.’
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Thanks for sharing that me. There are so many concepts and school of thoughts. Each one as interesting as the next. You can’t tell which one might be right because they all make a little sense at some point. I love researching and finding out about things. So I’m really glad for your share 😊
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HI, I have always thought that women have just replace “prince charming” with “soul mate”. Seems we always have to have that dream guy out there-its unfortunate since that man/person will never live up to that fantasy, so some women (and now men who have bought into this stereotype) will never be happy. Your post was great! Very thorough!
Thanks for stopping by my blog and checking it out!
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Oh you’re welcome. Yes that’s absolutely true. Thanks for your feedback. 😊I agree
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Reblogged this on Brainy Versatility.
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Thanks for reblogging.
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“Find the other half within you and make yourself whole again. Instead of waiting for that one person that completes you.” This is golden… thanks for sharing.
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Thank you for visiting 😊
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Excellent
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Thankyou
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Thank you for following my blog. Do read the posts too, i bet you’ll find them interesting
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Thanks Manal for reading my posts & the follow, liked this post , really a good read , look forward to reading more , Blessed times !
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Thankyou for visiting.
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This is an outstanding post. It’s nice to meet you and thank you for following BrewNSpew.
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Hey thank you for the wonderful comment. 😊
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you are a magician…of words….great post…and a beautiful site….
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That’s really kind of you. Thank you.
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Also, important to remember all the other kinds of love out there and not take them for granted. Many of us who feel lonely and unloved because we “haven’t found the other half” have loving parents and siblings, and friendships which can be as deep (or deeper) than romantic love. There is more than just one kind of love in the world.
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Agreed. Like I mentioned ‘one true love’ Is a term used to sell romance novels. Love comes in all forms. I have devoted another article just for ‘love’ alone.
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Yep, romantic love is a concept used to sell many things to us…just look at V-Day!
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True. People feel obligated to do so cz everybody else is doing it!
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Reblogged this on Rattiesforeverworldpresscom.
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Thanks
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Find the other half within you and make yourself whole again.
👆
Interesting huhh.
Intuitive post❤👌
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Thanks 😊
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Most welcome!
Sunny sunday ahead!😍✌
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Sunny Sunday will bake us
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Haha.
Then prefer a NO BAKE DAY and chill in the indoors!😉
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If only! Life is too demanding for that.
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True that!
So back to square one – “have a sunny sunday”😁😁
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lol I guess we are back to square one! Same to you then! Lazy sunny Sunday it is.
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Cheers!
Enjoyyy “YOUarethatgirl23″😁
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Lol. Cheers
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As you have written the quest for the allusive soulmate continues today. That one with which to connect, is there a soulmate out there for everyone? Yes your soulmate does exist, your soulmate has been with you all along, just look into the mirror.
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Beautifully written and explained. I do not believe in having another half. I am trying to be whole so I can find my other whole. Staying that we have another half makes me feel like we are defective. Which in my opinion, we are not) Marvelous read by the way
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I recently discovered your blog and I will be reading with much interest. Great job on fascinating subjects!
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Thankyou so much. Happy blogging.
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Thanks for visiting my blog and following.
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Pleasure 😊
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I found this intriguing, Manal. I look forward to reading new posts by you.
Thanks for the follow.
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Thank you 😊
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Thank you for the follow. It’s a pleasure to meet you and have this connection. I look forward to reading more of your blog.:)
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Pleasure 😊 nice to meet you too.
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I think the body is matter and the soul is its opposite of anti matter
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Soul could be anti matter but the interesting thing is it has a weight. So there a matter anti matter ration I guess
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Interesting research.
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Thank you 😊
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i love this post 🙂 Thanx so much for sharing so instructive and I totally agree,we should found ourself first because we are full of love xoxo
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Thank you for the feedback 😊😊
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this is very interesting though I did a same reasearch long ago n published 5 papers..exactly same and you will like it..remember we all have many soul mates you wanna know the numbers? you may find it here:
https://martianpoesy.wordpress.com/category/soul-mates/
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I’d love to check it out. That seems so cool
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Yup..We both sync at some point of analysis
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Yes but yours is so thoroughly detailed.
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Yes that’s right.. You saw the numbers. How do you feel bout it
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It’s very surprising. Mind boggling almost
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Haha 🙂 thanks
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Brilliant and enlightening thank you. If you would not mind consider checking out my page… Maybe I might just as well enlighten you too.
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Thank you so much.
And yes sure
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I was reading this article which supports my thinking
https://cheaptale.blogspot.in/2017/03/soulmate-and-life-partner.html
according to that,
there is the difference between a soulmate and life partner. Rather there are many soulmates and life partner is one of them. It satisfies your only one emotion of living with a person you like that is your life partner but it does not mean there is only one.
Is it true?
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From what I have read so far in my research yes, it is true. I think we choose to settle with the one person that we think compliments our personality best or sometimes just somebody we’ve grown attached to. But yes, there are more than one.
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